Box Score DUDLEY, Mass. (Feb. 5) – A spirited comeback and great individual performances along with clutch plays from a host of players made for a pulse-pounding finish in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's basketball matchup between the Nichols College Bison and the Gordon College Fighting Scots. Adding to the dramatic game was the fact that it was Senior Day as Nichols College honored captains Daniel Taylor (Westhampton, Mass.) and Justin Aldrich (Douglas, Mass.).

Nichols climbed all the way back from a 17-point deficit to take a two-point lead late in the game, only to lose a close game after a clutch three pointer by Gordon junior Garrett Harden gave the Fighting Scots a 70-68 lead with 20 seconds remaining. Gordon would tack on a free throw with just two seconds to go, and escape with the 71-68 win to improve to 8-12 overall and 4-5 in conference play. With the loss Nichols drops to 5-15 overall with a conference record of 2-7.

The first half was all about the individual performances. Nichols freshman Ryan Sheehan (North Attleboro, Mass.) led the way for the Bison early, scoring 10 of the team's first 11 points with 13 points overall for the first half. Not to be outdone was Gordon senior Greg Walker who scored 16 of the Fighting Scots' first 19 points finishing the half with 20 points.

Individual efforts aside, it was a competitive half of basketball. With 2:27 remaining, a put-back on the offensive boards by sophomore Kyle Mascilak (Sparta, N.J.) closed the Bison to within three points. The Fighting Scots fired right back, scoring the final nine points of the half to give themselves a 39-27 lead heading into the locker room.

Gordon's obvious advantage came in the paint. The Fighting Scots outscored the Bison 22-8 down low in the half.

Gordon continued to play well into the second half opening up a 17-point lead, but that did not last long. Carelessness with the ball to go along with a nearly five minute scoring drought gave Nichols a chance to get back in the game. Continuing to be led by Sheehan, the Bison did just that going on a 15-0 scoring run capped off by a three point play by junior Michael Salis (Nashua, N.H.). A Justin Kuntz (Wallingford, Conn.) three would completely erase the big lead Gordon had making the score 56-56.

Big plays continued to come from different players on both sides of the ball. After a trey from Mascilak gave Nichols a one point lead, a three point play by Gordon sophomore David Dempsey gave the Fighting Scots their lead right back.

The teams continued to trade baskets and exchange leads. Taylor came up clutch on his Senior Day giving Nichols a 68-67 lead with 40 seconds left after making a pair of free throws, but the three-pointer from Harden with 21 seconds remaining gave the Fighting Scots the lead again at 70-68.

Nichols turned the ball over and was forced to foul with just two seconds remaining. Dempsey made one of his two free throws giving Nichols one last chance to tie the game, but the long inbounds pass was stolen by Walker, and Gordon escaped with the win.

Walker finished with a game-high 32 points and nine rebounds, while Sheehan finished with 28 points on the day.

Mascilak finished for Nichols with a double-double recording a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with 14 points of his own. Dempsey was Gordon's second leading scorer with 12 points for the game.

Nichols will look to get back in the win column as they host Wentworth on Tuesday night at 5:30 pm, while Gordon will host Colby Sawyer on Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm.

Box Score